“Call me back. I want to know how she is too.”
“Will do, and be careful frying up that bacon. I don’t need you in the hospital too.” I ended the call and pulled into my driveway.
I walked into the house, and as I saw Addison’s stuffed animals scattering the floor, I couldn’t stop myself from crying. It was times like this that I needed Addison to know her father. If something happened to me, she’d be without a parent. I knew Sadie would take her in, but I also knew that wouldn’t be fair, not when her father could be in the picture.
Chapter 19
Leo
Jon and I had just stepped off the elevator after returning from the parking garage where he showed me his new car stereo and speakers when Tabby rounded the corner. “There you are. Edith is looking for you. I told her you were around here somewhere.”
“You should have called me,” I said, patting my coat for my phone, which a moment later Tabby held up.
“You mean this phone? You left it on your desk.”
About that time, Edith rounded the corner from my father’s end of the hall. “I thought I heard your voice. Your father wants to see you.”
“So I hear,” I said, giving Jon a pat on the back. “It must be important. I better get down there. Oh, and I loved the speakers, by the way. Great choice.” He had wanted to improve his system for a while now, and I knew it meant a lot to him.
Jon stepped away. “Thanks. We’ll have to take it for a spin and see how loud we can stand it.”
I hurried off to Dad’s office wondering if I was about to get my ass chewed or if he was going to ask me a million questions I didn’t know the answer to. Edith gave me a blank look as I walked by, and I wondered how long she’d been looking for me. I noticed three missed calls, but I didn’t think Jon and I had taken that long.
I knocked on the door and stuck my head inside. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yeah, where the hell have you been?”
I walked in and helped myself to a cup of coffee from his private Keurig. “Sorry. Jon and I stepped out for a minute, and I forgot my phone on my desk.”
He shook his head and didn’t wait for the coffee to pour. “Tell me how the case is going. Did you find anything useful that could help the client?”
“Actually, no. It’s just like I said, a total nightmare, and in fact, the other side has enough fraud for him to do quite a long time in prison when we lose the case.”
“That’s not very optimistic talk.”
“No, it’s realistic talk, Dad. I’ve tried to warn you. It’s so bad, I suggested that if offered, he take a deal.”
My father’s face turned as red as his tie. “A plea deal? Are you out of your mind? I want to get this man off the hook.”
As my coffee finished pouring, I turned off the machine and brought my cup with me to the closest chair in front of his desk. “It’s a pretty big hook, Dad.” I’d done all I could to warn him, but he was always so damned determined.
“I didn’t put you on the case to take the easy road, and we’re not throwing our client under the bus so we can. There’s always an angle. Dig up some dirt on that Kya girl. See if you can find if she was somehow involved or knew about it. Paint her as a jilted partner in crime for all I care, but make this happen!”
His phone rang, and while I let what he’d said sink in, holding back the urge to kick the old man’s teeth in, he answered it. “Hello?” His face fell into a somber expression. “I see. Well, is she going to make it?” I could tell it was bad. Perhaps dead relative bad. But then my father hung up the phone and was suddenly frowning again.
“Well?”
“That was Edith. Word just came in that Susan Costanzo had a heart attack earlier. She’s in the hospital in intensive care, and her condition is critical.”
All of my anger subsided for a moment, and as much as I hated Susan, I never wanted anyone to be hurt or in danger. “Shit.”
“Yeah, so we’ll have to see how we can work this to our advantage. If someone comes in, say a rookie, to take over the case, there might be one hell of a communication gap, and hopefully, we can turn this around. I want you to figure it out as soon as you find out who’s replacing her.”
“You’re kidding, right? After the shit you said a minute ago, I’m not even sure I know who the hell you are, and now a woman, granted a complete asshole of a woman, but a human being is in the hospital and the first thing you think about is the next angle.” I got to my feet and put the coffee on his desk. I couldn’t stand to look at him, much less sip coffee and conspire with him.
Dad leaned forward. “I think you’re overreacting.”
“No, I think you are, Dad. I have tried to talk reason to you about this case from the start, and for some reason, you don’t want to hear it. Are you trying to ruin my record? Can’t let me get ahead, right? You only want to me to look good enough to make you look good, but when I start to look way better than you, you can’t handle it.”
“You’re out of line.” His face was back to deep burgundy, and any moment, he might start pumping steam from his ears.
“Did you even hear yourself a minute ago? Throw Kya, our neighbor and my oldest friend, under the bus and make her look like an accomplice?”
“I barely knew her.”
“I know her better than anyone else in this whole fucking, sick world, and I’m not going to do her that way. Furthermore, I’m done with this case.” I walked around the chair, and he stood up behind his desk.
“Get back here, son. You don’t want to do this.”
“Yeah, Dad. I so fucking want to do this.” I had looked for a reason for years to tell my father to shove it, and today was the day.
“I mean it, Leonard, if you walk out that door, you can kiss your job goodbye. You can clean out that office and take your ass to the house!”
“Bye, Dad.” I walked out and found Edith standing behind her desk, her mouth wide open and one hand on her heart.
But I didn’t stop to say anything. I continued out the door, around the corner, and down to my end of the hall. When I passed Tabby, I stopped and took a deep breath.
“What’s the matter, Leo?” She got up and came around her desk so quickly, I didn’t have time to tell her to stay seated. I didn’t want to deal with her and the whole packing my office just yet. By law, I had a little time to get out, and I’d get her situated somewhere else with me.
“It’s fine, Tabs. We may be changing our address is all. Don’t worry.”
Her eyes widened, and she nodded. “Okay, Leo. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, but since I’m leaving for the day, you can leave too. Tomorrow, you can start looking for listings and see if we can find a new place.”
“I’m sure whatever is going on with you and your father will resolve quickly, Leo, and then we won’t have to go anywhere.”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s time I go on my own.” I gave her a pat on the back, and she hurried around her desk as I went to my office. I needed a moment, so I shut the door and took out my phone.
As Kya’s phone rang, I tried to collect my thoughts and my breath. I had gotten so angry, my blood was pumping, and my adrenaline was through the roof.
“Leonard?”
I smiled, wondering if she would ever call me Leo. “Hey, Kya. How are you?”
“Let’s just say, if you’ve called to give me bad news, I could do without it.”
“I heard about Susan. I guess they called you already?”
“Called me? No, I was there when it happened. She looked so frazzled and pale, I knew something had to be wrong, but she kept insisting she was fine right up until she dropped right in front of me.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that. I hope she’s okay.”
“Me, too, but I got another call that they’re looking for a replacement for me. No one wants to take her cases because her life is a mess and so is her office. There are files everywhere. She fell right into a stack of them. Than
k heavens the top two were empty, and they kind of cushioned her fall.”
“Damn, that’s rough.” I hated to think of her on her own in this, and worse that Whit was going to team up with whoever my father left in charge and try to drag her through the mud with him. “Look, can I come see you?”
She hesitated a little, a humming sound bubbling from her throat like she had to think about it. “Are you sure it’s a good idea? I mean, with this case falling apart, I didn’t think you’d want to keep complicating things even more by seeing me again.”
I let out a long sigh. There was nothing I wanted more than to be with her at that moment. “Trust me. I can’t wait to see you again. I meant can I come now?”
“Now? Sure.”
“Good, I have something to tell you. I think you’re going to like it.”
She gave a soft laugh. “If you want to tell me in person, I like it already.”
“Give me twenty minutes.”
“You got it.” She ended the call, and I hurried out of the office, not bothering to stop and tell anyone, not even Jon, what happened. Even though I owed it to him, I’d have to tell him later.
I got to my car and hauled ass out of the garage and went even faster once I hit the freeway.
Making it to her house in what I was certain was record time, I got out of the car, and she met me at the door. I greeted her with a kiss and kicked the door shut behind me as I walked her backward into her front room.
She pulled away and searched my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m more than okay now.” Over the moon was more like it, or maybe since it was daytime, walking on sunshine, my head in the clouds, I could think of a hundred different ways, but mostly I was relieved. The dark cloud of the case had dissipated, no longer looming over my head.
She lay her head against my chest. “I’m glad you’re here. My day has sucked up until now. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I guess I can’t exactly ask you for any advice. That would be weird, right?”
I gave a soft laugh, so relieved I could in fact help. “Actually, I’m all yours.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want to put you in a strange position. You could tell me what’s on your mind, though. I know you have something to tell me.”
“Yes, and what I’m trying to tell you is that I’m all yours. I’m off Whit’s case.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, I told my old man I quit. I couldn’t go up against you, Kya. Not when I care so much about you. It’s not only a conflict of interest but impossible. I told my father I didn’t agree with his ideas and bailed.”
“Holy shit. So that means that Whit’s out of an attorney too?” She still wasn’t getting it.
“Well, he’s the only one. I’d like to represent you.”
Her face shadowed with uncertainty. “Leonard, is that even possible? I mean, for you to switch teams like that?”
“Yeah, it’s not usually done, no, but in this case, I don’t give a shit. I can take over for Susan. I already know the case, so you won’t have to worry about anyone coming in and fucking things up, and more than that, I already know their tactics. So if you’ll let me?”
She backed away and walked over to the back of her couch where she leaned with her head down.
“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be excited.”
Her shoulders sloped. “It’s just that I can’t pay you, Leonard.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll do this one for free.”
“I can’t let you do that, either.”
I walked over and brought my arms around her as I straddled her legs. “You can make it up to me in other ways like kisses for instance.” I brought my mouth down on hers. “Mm. Yes, pay me in kisses, Kya. Your money is no good with me anyway.”
She stood, bringing her arms around my neck. “If you’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Kya smiled wickedly. “I might need a little more convincing.” She took my hand and led me to her room.
Chapter 20
Kya
Leonard had me so turned on, and all he’d had to do was tell me he’d quit the case. I had started to have my doubts if he’d do the right thing, and I didn’t want to be hurt by him again, but he’d really surprised me.
Now, it was time to make him as happy as he’d made me. “Just how much is this going to cost me?” I asked, moving in for a kiss once we reached my bedroom door.
“Hm. I’ll have to feel you out and get back to you.” He kissed me hard and deep, his tongue sliding in along mine, taking it deeper.
I pulled away and opened the door. “I have a lot more to give?” I walked him to the bed and stopped at the foot to kiss him again.
He pulled away after a quick peck. “Do you? Let’s see what you’ve got.” He unzipped my dress, and it fell off my shoulders and pooled at my ankles leaving me in my white, lacy bra and panties. We shared a smile, and I was enjoying the game. It made me feel naughty and turned me on.
I fluttered my lashes. “Mhm, please Mr. Lawyer, I need your help. I’ll do anything.” I reached down and rubbed his hard length through his pants.
“Then show me what a good girl you are, and I’ll see what I can do for you.” We both busted out laughing, and if we weren’t so turned on, it might have been a distraction. Instead, he dropped his pants and took me into his arms and cupped my soft mound rubbing me through my panties.
I panted hard and moved against his hand as I stroked his bare, rigid cock in the same rhythm. I wanted to show him what a good girl I was still, and so I moved to my knees and pumped my hand, working him over as I opened my mouth and placed his head on my tongue.
“Fuck. You are a very good girl.” He gave a sultry laugh, and as he hissed through his teeth, he rested one hand on my shoulder, the other on my head where he stroked my hair.
I focused on the task at hand and pulled off to lick his shaft from base to tip and back, then I planted soft kisses along the side of his cock and looked up into his eyes. His were barely a sliver, so deep and sexy, I felt a hot ache between my legs for him.
“Touch yourself, Kya.” His voice was so commanding that it made me wet, and I wasted not another moment and brought my hand between my legs. I parted my folds, stroking beneath my hood on my sensitive little bud where my pleasure bloomed. “That’s my girl. You look so hot doing that with my cock in your mouth. It makes me so fucking hot for you.” He rocked his hips gently as I relaxed my throat and took him deeper, and then he threw his head back as I held myself there.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
I nodded. More than ever, I wanted to say. Instead, I kept working his thick flesh, the taste of his salty skin tickling my tongue as his hand went to my throat, the other wrapping around the back of my head.
I relaxed as he pushed himself deep, holding me there for a good minute, and then I gasped like a dying fish as he pulled away and shoved it back in. I swallowed, gagging a little as it pulled him deeper. He moved away and smiled down at me.
“That’s so hot. Do you want to taste it?” he asked. I nodded. “Good girl.”
He held me down on his cock one last time, and then I felt my mouth fill with his release. He moaned loudly which caused me to moan as well. He let go of my throat and grabbed the sides of my head to pump in and out as I gulped and swallowed.
He pulled out, and what had rolled onto my chin, he gathered on his head, and I sucked and licked until it was all clean.
“Now, it’s my turn to make you moan.” He laid me back on the bed and moved his hand to stroke my soaking channel. “And you’re going to taste so sweet, I can already tell.” He brought his fingers to his lips and tasted my honey.
He dipped down between my legs, and his mouth closed over my mound, his tongue penetrating me, the pleasure so intense, I cried out and gripped his hair to hold him in that one spot that felt amazing. He didn’t let up, either, and his tongue kept right on flicking, tickling the spot until an orgasm rippled thr
ough me, the waves of pleasure overtaking me as I released him and he licked and dipped his tongue into my channel to taste me.
He rose up, stroking his cock and moved between my legs, centering himself at my core, and nudging himself inside me, nice and slow, inching and retreating, little by little until he reached my depths.
He paused a moment, and I felt his eyes on me, and only then, I realized mine were closed. “You’re so slick and tight, so perfect.” He rocked his hips, slowly fucking me, rutting deeper, stretching me until I thought I might rip apart, but then I felt a pinch of pleasure lick my center, and another orgasm came, taking me over the edge as I writhed beneath him.
“That’s right, Kya, soak my cock.” He began to pump harder, his thrusts becoming more and more steady, more deliberate as he angled up and aimed for my G-spot. I tilted my hips to make it easier, and when he found the special place, I moaned and soaked his cock again. Once I began to milk him, my walls clenching and releasing, tugging on his dick, he tensed and unloaded deep inside of me. “Fuck.”
He collapsed on me and kissed me hard, taking my breath away. I gasped and kissed him back. Feverishly, our lips collided, and I wasn’t sure we’d ever be able to slow down, much less stop.
But soon, it subsided, and we lay curled up beside one another. “How can I not help you after that?”
“Only if you’re sure, Leonard.”
He sighed. “I tell you what. You can pay me.”
“Yeah? Did you think of something else?”
“Yes, I want you to call me Leo.”
“I know. It’s just so hard. You’ll always be my Leonard.”
“I’m not that same little boy anymore, though, Kya, and I want you to see that.”
“Oh, I do, but I happened to like that little boy, Leo. He was handsome and kind and my friend for as long as I could remember. How could I not?” He rolled his eyes up and stared at the ceiling away from me. “Fine. Leo, it is. But don’t hold it against me if I call you Leonard at the moment. You make me so hot, I can’t help myself.”
My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance Page 13